VIDBE-Q Volume 65 Issue 4
Giving students opportunities to socialize is an ongoing goal of LBVI's
Transition Program, so we watched and listened to find out what was important to
them. Students liked when someone's pet showed up on camera, laughing and
being silly, and music. We held an informal "fur and tell" at the beginning of some
sessions that consisted of bringing nearby pets onto camera. This made some
camera-shy students turn their cameras on so they could show off their pets. We
met dogs, cats, kittens, a guinea pig, and even a lizard. Breakout rooms were used
to hold small group classes and to allow activity choices. A music room was
offered for those who liked to sing, dance, play or listen to music using Giving
Tree Music and YouTube. A hangouts room was used for those who just wanted to
catch up. A popular Dungeons and Dragons room allowed players to create their
own world. A game room presented different options that allowed students to have
fun, but also to work on job readiness skills (without them realizing it!). We used
online games, available with a quick search, easily adaptable to small or large
groups, that required little to no materials. The Game Gal site we used not only has
instructions for dozens of group games, but also has pre-made lists or stories as
needed. The various games required students to pay attention to a story line, use
deductive reasoning, formulate descriptions, work together, work individually,
follow time restrictions, categorize, problem solve, use written or verbal
